Musical Wasboard Playing
Watching, and of course playing with, other washboard players is really one of the better ways to learn how to play this fine instrument.
When I started playing I didn't have a clue and unfortunately, didn't think of searching the web right away. And even when I did, I didn't think of searching for videos so I didn't find much information on how to play one.
So when I did, I made a website to list the different washboard websites I had found and share ideas as to how to put stuff on my washboard: Jazz Up Your Washboard.
However, many people visiting that site are searching for advice on how to play a washboard, a question that not easily answered although the answer is easy: you tap and scratch!
Yet at first your tapping and scratching doesn't sound like the pros. What are you doing wrong? There must be some secret thing that you still need to find out, right? Sorry, no secret. Washboard playing is all about tapping and scratching, the problem is that it seems really easy and it's actually kind of hard.
But not that hard, with time and lots of practice you too will thrill a crowd with your rhythmic skills! But I can't help more than that. There are many different washboard playing styles and what is good for me, may not be good for you.
Below are a few rubboard playing lessons and and a couple of other links. I've also posted a whole bunch of washboard player videos on my musical washboard videos page. I am still learning a lot by playing with my favorite ones, watching what these great musicians are doing and practicing the patterns I figure out - often with a metronome - on a daily basis. If you do this, little by little your sound is going to change and improve, and it's a great feeling.
And don't be shy, find other musician to play with!
How to play the washboard
I truly believe that the answer to that is: any way you want! - although usually you use your hands....There are many different music forms that can be improved with a washboard: Blues, Bluegrass, Zydeco, Folk, Jazz, Rock... You can primp up your board or leave it "au natural" like a rubboard.
For the first time player: consider that your two basic possibilities are tapping and scratching. For instance, a simple 4 beat rhythm could be played: "scratch (short and fast), tap, tap, tap" or the variation: "tap, tap, scratch (short and fast), tap". Keep in mind that in both cases the "scratch" needs to take the same amount of time as the "tap".
Otherwise, since a long "scratch" can easily take up the time of two, three or even more "taps" you will need to adjust the pattern to fit the rhythm. Try this for instance: scratch a 2 beat (tap) long "scratch" followed by 2 "taps". "scraaaaaaaaatch, tap, tap, scraaaaaaaaatch, tap, tap..."
If you think you can explain this in a more appropriate way, you are welcome! (send a message) :-)
A metronome is useful to get a feeling for this.
Scratching up gives a different feel than scratching down. Scratching quickly gives a different sound than scratching slowly. Alternate your hands: right, left, right, etc... Meet other players, play with other musicians, play along with recorded music... Practice, practice again and practice some more!
Washboard Demo - Big Fat Mama - Honey Boy
Besides the relatively simple rhythms played in this and the second video below, both musicians make comments concerning playing too much. This is good advice, however it does depend on the music, the audience, the other musicians...
It's interesting to note that both also, and mainly, play another instrument so their advice most likely also comes from playing their instrument with other washboard players too, and in that regards it's a fact that washboards can take up a lot of space. So hear the wisdom but find your own rhythms. There are enough washboard players out there who whack out a ruckus, much to the enjoyment of all!
Washboard Demo - Big Fat Mama - Honey Boy
Just playing along with Honey Boy to show you my simple yet very effective washboard rig that's highly portable, and very unoffensive to others. I love horns, kazoos and all those things but I've seen them also become over bearing after a short performance. This is more of a subtle way to play washboard that works great for almost any kind of music. When I play at a gig or a jam and there are too many stringed instruments going I have something I can add to the mix and also help those others with much less timing skills than I have. If you have a ham fisted guitar player in the group this washboard and shaking can of rocks not only helps them keep better time but covers up mistakes and melts all the music together like a hot cheese melt. I can also lay way back on the off beats, emphasize the 2 and 4 and really add some dymanics and soul to the whole mix. Great for studio recordings too. See my website for an article on washboards coming up pretty soon. Check out this killer site with great washboard videos and washboard supplies. I am in no way affiliated with them. I just like their site. http://www.squidoo.com/washboards
Runtime: 339
26153 views
54 Comments:
curated content from YouTube
Washboard Chaz teaches washboard technique 1
Stuff to play the washboard with...
Thimbles seem to have become the traditional instrument for scrubboard playing but there are many other things that you can use: spoons, bottle openers, whisks, drum sticks and brushes come to mind. Different metals give a different feel and sound, for instance I use brass thimbles which I prefer over the stainless steel ones, and using wood is a different thing altogether.Personally I'm also using brushes, the kind drummers use, for a lot of songs and really like the sounds you can get with them. Bottle openers or anything you hold are also worth trying since it changes your relation to the board and just might suit you better. And when things get rocking there's nothing like a wisp or two to get the crowd grinning.
If you don't try, how will you know?
More How To Play The Washboard Advice
Washboard Chaz teaches washboard technique 2
Learn to think like a drummer
Jukebox has set up a series of "learn how to play the drums" pages that are a good place to get ideas. Just transpose the Drum Tabs. For instance your woodblock or just the wood part of your washboard could be the "bass" (B), the metal your snare drum, find a cymbal or bell (or two).You can imitate a few of the hi-hat effects by hitting the cymbal while simultaneously damping it with your palm, or damping it after you hit it.
Featured Washboard Player
Jimmy Sweetwater
A local fixture of the San Francisco music scene for over fifteen years, Jimmy Sweetwater has developed a reputation as one of San Francisco's premier washboard and harmonica players, having performed and recorded with numerous Bay Area acts.The washboard his website opens to with the Fender logo "just a joke" is electric, wireless and has one of the more incredible arrays of attachments I have seen: bells, woodblocks, cymbals, so if you need ideas on how to jazz up your board, this is definitely a sight for the eyes too!
It also has examples of Jimmy's expert playing, discography and concert schedule. Check out the songs on his mp3 page.
Scrubboard Design Of The Day
On t-shirts, mug, stickers and more
Crawfish Blues Band Washboard White T-Shirt
The Crawfish Blues Band's washboard playing crayfish t-shirt. Support this lens with a unique blues band t-shirt!
More washboard t-shirts and stuff.
Reader Feedback
Please feel welcome to share your advice and comment or criticize mine and I would love to hear from you so please leave your mark!
-
Reply
- billy billy Jan 13, 2009 @ 8:42 am | in reply to Evets
- I've found that if you mount a rubber washer between your tin can or whatever you attach to your board, not only does it give a better sound, but it tends to absorb the impact when you hit it and lasts longer by reducing metal fatigue.
-
Reply
- Evets Evets Dec 25, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
- Hi,
Check out this picture of Washboard Chaz: http://surlaroute66.free.fr/Images/Photographes/David%20BAERST/Washboard%20Chaz_1.jpg (who is really a great player: http://www.washboardchaz.com/). It looks like he just bolted a can on to each of the washboard's legs. Not sure how he attached the smaller one, but I would think that you could screw one end of a small L shaped piece of metal to the washboard, and bolt the can to the other end. Of course you would of had to make the holes first.
-
Reply
- Hoss Buckly Hoss Buckly Dec 25, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
- Hey guys I am have been recording some tracks with washboard and cajon, maybe a cowbell or tuna can thrown in as well. I also play a tambourine with my left foot. Anyone have advice on how to attach a tin can to the rig?
-
Reply
- Andy Andy May 14, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
- Yeah, I had planned on just using a guitar strap. And thats how I figured I would attach the can, but i was worried it might dull the sound a bit. I'll figure it out one way or another. hahaha. Thanks a bunch.
-
Reply
- Evets Evets May 13, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
- And...
Some folks just hang their washboard around their neck in which case you would want to attach the string or thin strap to the top of each side.
Personally I prefer a guitar strap. I attach it where the wood goes across, above the metal, towards the top of the left side, and likewise towards the bottom of the right side.
You can use the same attachments for the straps that guitarist use, or you can just use a big screws. I'll try and add pictures here for you this week.
As for cans, I'm not sure what the best way is. I once attached a can with a bolt and wing nut to one of the washboard's legs and it's OK but I thought that it sounded a lot louder before I attached it that after. So I assumed that it wasn't able to vibrate well and that there was probably a way that let the can "express" itself better, but maybe my can was simply too small...
Hello washboard playing readers, I'd love to hear any advice you care to share!
- Load More
Old Time Washboard Playing on Amazon
Whoop It Up! Volume 1: 1927-1929
The cool washboard playing by Floyd Casey on this album is far from the only reason to check out Clarence Williams' Washboard band. Some of the finest small jazz band performances from the Twenties!
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 12/28/2009) 
Sonny Terry's Washboard Band
I'd love to know who the musicians are on this album, no guitar here, just harmonica, bones, washboard and washtub bass and of course Sonny Terry's great signing.
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 12/28/2009)
Washboard Sam 1936-1947
Washboard Sam is incontestably one of the best know washboard blues players and remains a reference if you are interested in learning how to play this fine instrument.
Amazon Price: $13.98 (as of 12/28/2009)
Jimmy O'Bryant's Washboard Band, Vol. 1 (1924-1925)
These recordings of two Chicago clarinetists, Jimmie O'Bryant and Vance Dixon are a lot of fun and there is a lot to learn from listening to Jasper Taylor, the washboard player on most of these tracks
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 12/28/2009)
All My Washboard Lens In A Glance
Here are the links to my other Musical Washboard Lens:-
Musical Washboard Video Showcase
-
In the past washboard players were often the funny member of the band, this really wasn't as bad as it sounds. Clowns are usually highly skilled in many ways and to be a clown with a washboard, you need to be an extremely fine musician indeed. Nowaday...
-
Jazz up your Washboard
-
Do-it yourself bells and whistles for your musical washboard. This lens is for folks who have just picked up their first washboard, and tries to be the webpage I would have wanted to find when I started playing a few years ago. I truly love this very...
About me
My playing is still a bit sketchy but two years ago, after playing for just a few months, I would never have dreamed that I could do this so just keep on practicing!
Photos of washboard on Flickr
Seaching with tag "washboard" on Flickr
Some of these may even show you how to wash your clothes!
Music in Iron Barley
DSC04735
DSC04737
DSC04729
DSC04736
by Evets
With a few... (more)
Explore related pages
Jazz up your Washboard- Do-it yourself bells and whistles for your musical washboard. This lens is for f...
The Omron HJ-112 Pocket Pedometer - Exercise is important. Most of us understand and accept that. It can help us mai...
Starfish! The "Constellations of the Sea" - Echinoderms- Although I had heard of and seen "starfish" or "sea stars" b...
Camping Styles - Location, Climate, and Campers!- Whether you are camping along the shore of Flathead Lake, Montana, or along the...
Musical Washboard Video Showcase- In the past washboard players were often the funny member of the band, this real...
The Day the Lights Went Out- My mother was celebrating her 73rd birthday. Inside a glittery birthday card, my...
